Review Summary: slow down, we're moving way too fast for this world.
2006 was a great time to be Hawthorne Heights if you were judging your life around me (which you should never do).
When If Only You Were Lonely dropped I was so mature. I was no longer a student; I could wake up at midday and not have a worry in the world. What a time that was. I was so fake and hollow though. I did everything I could to always be the center of attention or life of the party. I was dumb, still am, just in different ways.
Music has always been a huge part of me. No matter the age or what was going on, I could always rely on music to
help. 2006 was a hard year for me. I ended a three-year relationship with a girl I assumed I was going to marry. I didn’t have any reason for ending it apart from, I wanted to try other things. It’s harsh thinking back now but we were young and as much as I hurt her we are mates now and she’s got a great life.
Hawthorne Heights in 2006 were laughable. The fringes, JT’s lyrics, the layered nasal vocals, and Casey's awkward screams. Everything about them seemed so fake right? You could have pushed me over with a fart on my first listen to ‘If Only You Were Lonely’.
I was genuinely shocked, at how much I loved it. I was flabbergasted that they were able to refine the sound on ‘TSIBAW’ which I secretly enjoyed and produce a noticeable better album. The hooks are not as
good but everything else is. The songs are tighter and more compact. Casey rears his head in moments that really shine, ‘Dead In The Water’ being his best moment here and the closet Hawthorne ever got to touching
metalcore.
The guitars are tighter although reduced in layers, as though JT put the guitar down for most of the recording leaving Casey and Micah to weave some magic, and they do. ‘Cross Me Off Your List’ showcasing some
beefy riffs, acoustic guitars and tremolos that would make Kirk
happy.
JT is always going to have a hard time in the lyrics department. There are always going to be moments when you make a face that looks like you smelt something rotten. ‘Where Can I Stab Myself In The Ears’ despite having a Fall Out Boy title, JT manages to write some mature and impactful lyrics. Don’t get me wrong, I
love all of JT’s lyrics, but I understand I shouldn’t. It’s a personal connection I’ve had since their debut album that has only grown stronger with time.
‘Decembers’ is silly but hits me still. It did on first listen, it shouldn’t but here we are. JT’s voice is slightly irritating throughout but it works. Only he can sing those words and
mean it. The slide guitar IS too much but at the same time, just enough. ‘Saying Sorry’ is the third best song Hawthorne have ever released. I mean that because it sums them up. Its everything they are and want to be. Tell me that chorus ain’t catchy and I’ll buy you a beer.
Hawthorne managed to do what most bands like this can’t, produce a better sophomore album then their debut. It’s tragic Casey passed away after this album. His vocal parts while still underused are stronger and more confident. His riffing is beefier, and I can only imagine what ‘Constant Dread’ would have sounded like with JT, Casey and Brendan battling it out.
If Only You Were Lonely continues Hawthorne’s tough journey into a musical scene filled with hate, which they faced with eye liner, clichés and by wearing their hearts on their sleeve. Hate them all you like; I’ll still buy you a beer.
